China announced on Monday its willingness to repatriate confirmed Chinese nationals from the United States, as U.S. President Donald Trump threatened tariffs and sanctions on countries that fail to cooperate in accepting deportees.
In recent months, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has sent five charter flights to China carrying hundreds of Chinese nationals deemed to lack a legal basis to remain in the U.S. However, officials from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have expressed frustration over Beijing’s longstanding refusal to issue travel documents, hindering repatriation efforts.
The DHS has warned of escalating consequences for Chinese officials, including visa sanctions, for not accepting the return of tens of thousands of Chinese nationals under deportation orders.
“We have conducted practical cooperation with the migration and law enforcement departments of the US and other countries, which has been productive,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a regular briefing in Beijing.
“As far as repatriation is concerned, China’s principle is to receive the repatriates who are confirmed as Chinese nationals from the Chinese mainland after verification,” Mao added when asked if China would accept nationals in the U.S. illegally or without documentation.
Last week, Trump declared illegal immigration a national emergency on his first day in office. His orders tasked the U.S. military with aiding border security, implemented a broad asylum ban, and took steps to limit citizenship for children born on American soil.
The Republican president has justified these measures by pointing to what he says is an immigration crisis caused by millions of immigrants entering the U.S. under the Biden administration, both through illegal crossings and Biden’s legal entry programs. “We expect all countries to accept the repatriation of their citizens who are in the United States illegally,” said White House National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes when asked about China’s remarks.
The number of Chinese nationals crossing the U.S. southern border without permission has surged in recent years, from negligible numbers to tens of thousands. This trend has been attributed to economic challenges in China and the difficulty of obtaining U.S. visas due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Trump previously threatened tariffs and sanctions against Colombia for initially refusing to accept deportees on military flights. On Sunday, the White House announced it would not impose these penalties, as Colombia had agreed to accept the migrants.
Trump has also floated the idea of imposing 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico starting February 1 to pressure them into taking further action against illegal immigration and the flow of fentanyl into the U.S.
